Abstract
Background: The Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test (BAFRT) is one of the most widely used measures of family dynamics seen from a child’s perspective. However, the most common issue surrounding this test is the lack of accurate normative scores for use with non-white ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the BAFRT’s reliability and validity for use with Arab children, as well as to provide normative data for this group. Methods: The BAFRT was translated into Arabic and back-translated to ensure accuracy. The test was administered to a cohort of 394 Arab children, consisting of both cognitively normal children (n = 269) and children diagnosed with a psychological disorder (n = 125), all aged 5–8 years old. Test-retest reliability was assessed using a sub-set of children and validity was tested against clinical status as well as CBCL and SDQ measures. Normative measures were calculated after examining the impact of influencing variables such as age and gender. Results: Statistical analyses showed that in our cohort of Arab children the BAFRT has good test-retest reliability, correlates well with measures of emotional and behavioral adjustment, and discriminates accurately between clinical and non-clinical children. Age, gender, and clinical status all significantly impacted upon BAFRT scores and therefore normative values are presented from our cohort when considering these variables. Conclusion: The normative scores we present will provide researchers and clinicians an appropriate reference point for the comparison of scores from Arab children and a starting point for future research into this area.
Highlights
Children’s perspectives on family dynamics is an important insight to collect accurately for both family psychology research and clinical practice
This study firstly aimed to examine the reliability of the Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test (BAFRT) in this cohort, and aimed to assess its validity by determining both its correlation to measures of behavioral and emotional adjustment and its ability to differentiate between cognitively normal children and those clinically diagnosed with psychological disorders
Appropriate normative data is essential for the BAFRT in order to be confident about the interpretation of the proportion and valence of statements assigned to any one family member, self, or nobody
Summary
Children’s perspectives on family dynamics is an important insight to collect accurately for both family psychology research and clinical practice. One measure that does attempt to assess these relationships from a child’s perspective is the Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test (BAFRT; Bene and Anthony, 1957). The Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test (BAFRT) is one of the most widely used measures of family dynamics seen from a child’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the BAFRT’s reliability and validity for use with Arab children, as well as to provide normative data for this group. Results: Statistical analyses showed that in our cohort of Arab children the BAFRT has good test-retest reliability, correlates well with measures of emotional and behavioral adjustment, and discriminates accurately between clinical and non-clinical children. Gender, and clinical status all significantly impacted upon BAFRT scores and normative values are presented from our cohort when considering these variables. Conclusion: The normative scores we present will provide researchers and clinicians an appropriate reference point for the comparison of scores from Arab children and a starting point for future research into this area
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